New school year new school recess program.
By Paula Vogler
Easton Journal – Easton, MA
August 26, 2005
A new school playground for students at the Olmsted School, and cleaned and landscaped grounds at both the Richardson and Olmsted Schools will enhance the excitement for school recess for those returning to classes in September.
Olmsted students will no longer have to spend their school recess time standing on an empty school playground. A Peaceful Playground will allow students to choose from 50 games to play when they go outside.
According to Principal Gary Mazzola, the playground games will include Four Square, Jolly ball, Pickle, Around the World, Prisoner, Sideline Basketball and many more.
Mazzola also said a large United States map will be painted on the blacktop to allow students to learn the shapes and locations of the states as well as their capitals.
A recent $1,000 donation from the Bank of Easton, as well as donations from other individuals and companies, went toward funding the school recess program, balls, kits, markings, and plans that are needed to run it.
Easton resident Trifon Athanasiou, owner of ATL Sealcoat and Asphalt, offered his services as a courtesy to install the markings.
Mazzola said because the students line up on the playground to board their buses at the end of the day, new bus numbers and safety lines will be incorporated into the playground as well.
He will help Richardson School Principal Daniel Deneen look into having an identical program made available at his school.
A new math curriculum adopted by the school system will be implemented in grades K-3 this year, but Mazzola said teacher training for grades 4-6 will be conducted for his teachers.
This will allow teachers to prepare for next year when the program is implemented at their grade levels and will also give them improved mathematical teaching skills for the current school year.
Mazzola said between 5 and 7 days have been earmarked for this training, an exploratory time for the teachers.
“They’re excited to have the time to investigate,” said Mazzola.
Mazzola also said the school’s computer network has been upgraded to the OS10 operating system, dictating more enhanced lesson designs because of the increased power of the system.
In addition, he said the Bully Free is the Choice for Me campaign will be reinforced by a presentation by Jedlie the Clown.
“It’s a pretty intensive bullying program for kids and teachers,” said Mazzola.
Both Deneen and Mazzola said that, due to the construction at the high school, their two schools have been used to house many of the summer programs, including summer school classes.
“It’s been difficult for the custodians to get everything done that needs to be done,” said Deneen.
“The janitors haven’t been able to do the outside work,” said Mazzola.
Because of the generosity of Fairway Landscaping, trees have been trimmed, the grounds have been mulched, and the building areas have been spruced up.
“The front of the building looks spectacular,” Deneen said.
“It looks like a golf course here,” said Mazzola.
On the Richardson School side, Deneen said he spent two months “basically here alone.” He is looking forward to everyone returning to school so he can get acquainted and get a feel for the building and the students’ needs.
“My change was enough for the building to handle,” said Deneen, referring to his replacement of retiring principal Peggy Lynch. “We have all the same teaching staff and the traditions will stay the same. It’s best to keep the status quo for a while.”
He stressed that student safety and feeling secure are his top priorities.
For 6 hours and 20 minutes children are here (each day),” said Deneen. “I want those hours of the day to be their best hours of the day.”
Deneen said he wants the teaching staff and students to help him create a plan that will ensure a safe building. The school will continue to stress that bullying will not be tolerated.
